Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Stress, Anxiety & Ovulatory Predictors Among Infertile Women Undergoing Ovulatory Induction.

Background: Infertility represents a pressing global health issue, exertingconsiderable repercussions on both the affected individuals and the broader societalcontext. Infertility frequently coexists with elevated stress and anxiety, resulting in acomplex burden for individuals undergoing reproductive treatments. The ProgressiveMuscle Relaxation (PMR) method is one of the many interventions intended to addressthe psychological elements of infertility. Objective: To determine the effect ofprogressive muscle relaxation technique on stress, anxiety, & ovulatory predictorsamong infertile women undergoing ovulatory induction. Setting: The study was carriedout at the infertility clinic in El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital, affiliated toAlexandria University. Subjects: A convenience sample of 80 infertile womenattending the previously mentioned setting. Tools: four tools were used. Infertilewomen's socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule &Fertility problem inventory (FPI) questionnaire & Spielberger State-Trait AnxietyInventory (STAI) questionnaire & Ovulatory predictors assessment sheet. Results: Thestudy showed a statistically significant difference between the study and control groupsregarding the stress level at days 2, 9, & 11 after intervention(p = <1.010, <1.001, <1.010), respectively. Moreover, a statistically significantdifference between the study and control groups regarding the stress level at days 2, 9,& 11 after intervention (p = <1.014, <1.001, <1.001), respectively. Additionally, astatistically significant difference was observed among the study and control groupsregarding E2 level at days 2, 9, and 11 from induction, where (p = 0.039* and p =0.001* & p < 0.001*) in favor of the study group. Finally, a statistically significantdifference was observed among the study and control groups regarding the diameter offollicles at days 9 and 11 from induction, where (p < 0.001* and p < 0.001*),respectively, in favor of the study group. Conclusion: Based on the findings of thepresent study, it can be concluded that the progressive muscle relaxation techniquesignificantly reduced both stress and anxiety levels among infertile women whoparticipated in the intervention. Additionally, this technique had a notable positiveeffect on improving the ovulation rate in this population So, the study aims andhypotheses were achieved within the framework of the present study.Recommendations: The progressive muscle relaxation technique should be offered asa standard component of care for women undergoing infertility treatment. Thisintegration can help address the psychological aspects of infertility and improveoverall treatment outcomes.